With live music-making, projected images, and spoken narrative, 2013 Grammy nominee Stephen Wade explores the stories behind The Beautiful Music All Around Us: Field Recordings and the American Experience. This exploration of the subjects of his award-winning book features thirteen iconic folksong performances captured on Library of Congress field recordings between 1934 and 1942. In a compellingly narrated multimedia musical performance, Wade weaves the music together with its largely unknown yet surprisingly influential creators, one of them Pete Steele of Hamilton, Ohio.

Free public event presented by Miami University Regionals Appalachian Studies

In 1932 union vs. management confrontations are on the rise, unemployment rampant, and communism and fascism appear viable. Henry Ford, who put the world on wheels, thinks he has a solution. During this interactive play Henry will talk to car dealers about his past, about the new Ford V-8, and about the future of soybeans. It seems an optimistic moment in a negative time.

Reception to follow

PLEASE NOTE: this free public event is presented by the Michael J. Colligan History Project as part of Staging the Past: a series of prequels brought to you in association with the Fitton Center for Creative Arts and the Mad Anthony Theatre Company. Join us for this special presentation ahead of Mad Anthony Theatre’s production of Camping With Henry and Tom, February 18-21 at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts. Tickets for the Mad Anthony Theatre Company may be purchased at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, online at fittoncenter.org, or by calling 513.863.8873.